The City of Las Cruces' Munson Center is closed again Wednesday due to the presence of carbon monoxide in the building. Dial-a-Ride patrons who normally dine at the center will be transported to the Eastside Center, 310 N. Tornillo St. Patrons who drive themselves will be served at either the Benavidez Center, 1045 McClure Rd. or the Eastside Center. For information, call 575-541-3000.

LAS CRUCES — Frustrations and concerns were apparent Tuesday as Munson Senior Center remained closed for a second consecutive day because of high levels of carbon monoxide inside the building.

It was the second time in as many months, and the third time in the past year, Munson has been closed because of apparent high levels of carbon monoxide.

"We're not sure what the problem is," said Lori Grumet, the city's senior programs administrator. "We've called in technicians again to help determine the cause for this.

Munson Center patrons and volunteers, Jim Frederick, left, and John Ennis, center, talk with Munson Center instructor Tom Stramiello on Tuesday about the frequent closings of the center due to carbon monoxide. "We had a six-week class that was scheduled to start on Monday, (Jan. 7)," said Stramiello. "People had paid for the class when they registered I don't know will happen with the class now." (Robin Zielinski/Sun-News)

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Grumet added the source of the problems appear to be centered on the building's boiler or heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In 2010, the building's original heating and cooling system — installed when the building was constructed in 1975 — had to be replaced and the center closed for several weeks to install the system now being used.

Las Crucen Jim Frederick, who regularly goes to Munson Senior Center, has his own theories about the possible cause that keeps closing the senior center. Before retiring, Frederick said he had extensive professional experience in heating and cooling systems.

"It just seems odd they have a carbon monoxide detection problem," said Frederick. "It seems to me they may have a faulty detection sensor."

Frederick is frustrated the cause of the problem hasn't been pinpointed and fixed.

"If this happened at City Hall it would be taken care of," he said.

But city officials are taking no chances with the health and safety of as many as 200 city senior citizens who use Munson on a daily basis. Grumet said carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and high levels could pose problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the elderly and people with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory illness are at-risk populations that could be hurt by higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Grumet said technicians have made some adjustments to Munson's HVAC system. In addition to carbon monoxide sensors, a gas meter inside Munson is also used to determine carbon monoxide levels.

Grumet added Munson was closed Tuesday for precautionary reasons, but the HVAC system appeared to be working properly and carbon monoxide levels had dropped to satisfactory levels.

"We plan to open for business as usual, with regular hours (today)," Grumet said. "Munson Senior Center will be open at 8 a.m. and lunch will be served at 11 a.m."

As many as 160 meals are served weekdays at Munson.

David Dollahon, interim director of the city's Community and Cultural Services Department, said an assessment of the HVAC system will continue.

"The assessment could take a week or two," said Dollahon, of the work technicians will continue.

Charlotte Oleksy, who has been going to Munson since the late 1970s, is taking the center's closure in stride.

"I'll just work at home if I can't do it here," said Oleksy, who takes a once-a-week mosaics class at the senior center. "This has been a good place for people to come."

Steve Ramirez can be reached at 575-541-5452. Follow him on Twitter @SteveRamirez6